chọc trời
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To pierce/skyscrape the sky: To rise or extend so high that it seems to touch or pierce the sky. This is the literal meaning of the component words.
- To be extremely tall (of a building): Used to describe man-made structures, especially buildings, that are of immense height.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Tòa nhà ấy cao chọc trời. (That building is skyscrapingly tall.)
- Những cột điện mới dựng lên chọc trời. (The newly erected power poles rise piercingly into the sky.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is most famously and commonly used in the compound noun "nhà chọc trời", which is the direct translation for "skyscraper". However, as per the instruction, this compound is treated separately. The verb phrase "chọc trời" itself can be used descriptively with other tall structures.
- Kiến trúc chọc trời (sky-piercing architecture)
- Những tòa tháp chọc trời (the sky-piercing towers)
Variants and Related Words
- Nhà chọc trời (n): Skyscraper. This is a fixed compound noun where "chọc trời" acts as an adjective.
- Thành phố New York nổi tiếng với những nhà chọc trời. (New York City is famous for its skyscrapers.)
Synonyms
- Cao vút: Soaring high, towering.
- Cao chót vót: Very high, lofty (often used for natural features like mountains or trees).
- Vươn cao: To rise high.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- Cao chọc trời: An adjectival phrase meaning "sky-high" or "extremely tall". It intensifies the adjective "cao" (tall/high).
- Giá cả cao chọc trời. (Prices are sky-high.)
- Chí lớn chọc trời: An idiom meaning "great ambition that reaches the sky"; indicating extremely lofty aspirations or ambitions.
- Chàng trai ấy có chí lớn chọc trời. (That young man has sky-piercing ambition.)